Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-06-21
9ai1yRg eagle
RARE AND BEAUTIFUL.
CHAT WITH A RECENTLY RETURNED
ORCHID COLLECTOR.

Gathering the Weird and Eccentric
DEVELOPMENTS of tho Floral Kingdom.
Life Among Savages-Beginning OF .
Craze for Orchids.
TWAS my good fortune to meet in Mr..
Bergman's greenhouses world renowned
discoverer and dealer in these weird and
eccentric developments Of the floral king
dom, Mr. Fredrico Man, who has just re-
turned from his annual trip to South
America in quest of orchids, bringing
with him a ship load OF the coveted buds,
tropical ferns and the Towering onion for
the New York and Brooklyn markets, as
well as for those of London, Paris and
Berlin. Fifty thousand orchids of this i'm
portation are in Mr.. Bergman's care.
Some half dozen men were busily opening
the crates in which the plants were boxed,
while others had already found place in
the greenhouses among those already cul-
tivated by the florist. Some tropical birds
brought by the merchant in orchids
seemed to have found fitting home in
such surroundings. AS Mr.. Man talked
of his methods of trade cannot do better
in this direction than to repeat some por-
tons of it In answer to the queries pro-
pounded by his curious visitors on this oc-
casion, and as nearly as possible in his
own language.
'You see," said he, 81 have been visit
ing South America for some ten or twelve
years on purpose to obtain orchids from
the forests of Brazil, the United States OF
Colombia and elsewhere. Ihave my own
servants, guides, etc, who are ready to
meet me on arrival We travel 1000
miles into the interior, perhaps, before be-
ginning operations. OF course l take an
Interpreter with me, as in all my journeys
have not learned the low mixture Of
languages spoken by the natives"
FOES TO BE FEARED.
''Are you not timid amid such rude
people?''
''Oh, no; my guides and myself are well
armed. The foes we have most to fear
are the reptiles and wild animals
"And how do you defend yourself
against themT'
"We travel by boat and on muleback
when we can, and sometimes through
almost impenetrable forests, but at night
we have one rule for shelter and protec-
ton. Three fires are made and our hut
placed in the triangular space between
them. There are many tigers in the Bra
lillian forests, and as for snaKes-well,
could spend hours telling you of them.
brought home the skin of one thirty feet
long. Here on my thumb is the scar of q
reptile
''Don't tell us more Of the snakes"
said Mr.. Mans audience.
tsNo, 10, it is Of the orchids you want
to know Well, orchids are parasites.
They grow on rocks and trees and are fed
by the moisture in the atmosphere, al
though there are orchids that grow in the
earth. They are found in all countries,
and the rarest and most beautiful are the
parasites. The natives of South America
are very fond of them, cultivate them
around their dwellings and call them
1eur de santus, the flower Of health.
Sometimes a gorgeous flower is seen on
the top Of forest tree, which is only OBJ
tainable by cutting down the tree; some
times they are found near the SUBMITS Of
mountains 10000 or II, 900 feet high, as
some species grow where it is cold and
near the SHOWS, and others where the heat
is constant and almost overpowering.
"How do you transport these gather
ings of orchidss"
cat times the natives carry them, but
usually on muleback to some sea port,
and 10 freight is more costly, as the
wooden crates in which they are packed
must be so arranged as to give the plants
air."
BEGINNING OF A CRAZE.
care many orchids sold in this cour-
trya" asked the writer.
'Oh, yes, there is the beginning of a
craze for them in the United States, but
rs yet not at all in comparison to that
which exists in England, France and Ger
many 1t is becoming the fashionable
flower here as well as there for decora-
tions, for dinner parties, for brides bou-
quets, etc"
''Arc these flowers very expensive?'
''Decidediy. \ small bouquet of them
may represent 500. In England the
wealthy people viii give almost any price
for new orchid"
there?''
''About 100 years, perhaps q little more;
q missionary TO India sent some specimens
home and sea captains brought them from
South America. the South Sea Islands,
Mexico, Porto Ricusand elsewhere The
English people liked them and gradually
they have grown into great favor till the
mania for them resembles the craze that
once existed in Europe for the black tulip.
Agents are sent everywhere that orchids
are indigenous for new varieties. l have
myself discovered seventeen new varie
ties. Baron SHREDDER, who resides neal
London, has the finest collection in the
world; the Duke of Marlborough has
many rare varieties and SO has Baron
Rothschild. 1t was in Boston that or
chids first found favor in this country
Mr. Jay Gould has splendid collection
in his greenhouses near Tarrytown on thu
Hudson; Mr.. Corning, of Albany, has the
most extensive collection this side of The
ocean, and Mr.. Cornelius Vanderbilt i:
beginning to purchase them for his plac,
in Newport. brooklyn Eagle.